Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number
BUSN 157
Course Title
Desktop Publishing for Business
Credits
Three (3)
Date of Outline
October 18, 2005
2. Course Description
Introduces desktop publishing on the personal
computer. Develops proficiency in creating and
modifying layouts for brochures, business cards,
fliers, and newsletters. Covers basic principles
of graphics design, formatting techniques, importing text files from word processing programs, preparing and importing various types of
graphics, and creating special effects with
graphics and text. (Formerly BCIS 139.)
3. Contact Hours/Type
4 (4) hours/Lecture
4. Prerequisites
BUSN 150 with at least a C, or ICS 100/ICS 115
with at least a C; or consent.
Corequisites
Recommended Preparation
Approved By
Date
5. General Course Objectives
To develop proficiency suitable for preparing and modifying desktop publishing documents
typically used in business organizations. To provide the student with a basic understanding
of fundamental design principles for printed publications. To provide the student with the ability to work confidently and productively with desktop publishing software for creating layouts,
importing text and graphics, applying special effects, preparing graphics and printing various
types documents including but not limited to brochures, business cards, fliers, and newsletters.
For detailed information on how BUSN 157 focuses on the Maui Community College general
education standards, see the attached curricular grids.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended course content.
Upon completion of this course, the student will
a) Understand specific terminology relating to desktop publishing, layouts, design principles
for printed publications, and computer graphics.
b) Demonstrate layout and formatting techniques including style sheets, templates, and
master pages.
c) Use file system commands and utilities necessary to manage large files and folders in a
networked environment.
d) Use backup programs necessary to safeguard user data files in a networked environment.
e) Use a layout program to produce a variety of desktop publishing documents including but
not limited to brochures, business cards, fliers, and newsletters.
f) Use a scanner to scan photographs and illustrations and convert them to digital form for
inclusion in desktop publications.
g) Evaluate and redesign publications according to generally accepted design criteria.
h) Use advanced formatting techniques for character formatting, paragraph formatting, and
formatting tabular material.
i) Use desktop publishing software to import text from various word processing programs
into threaded text blocks within the publication.
j) Create and use style sheets, templates and master pages to make formatting more efficient and consistent.
k) Create and import tables into desktop publishing publications.
l) Retrieve, create, and/or modify a variety of objects for importing into desktop publishing
publications. These may include, but are not limited to: clipart objects, graphics, charts,
graphs, spread sheets, and vector graphics.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked t o #6. Student Learning Outcomes
1-2 Weeks:
Design Principles (a, g)
3-4 Weeks:
Layout and Formatting Techniques (a, b, e, h, i, j, k, l)
2-3 Weeks:
Computer Graphics and Scanning (a, e, f, l)
2-3 Weeks:
Style Sheets, Templates and Master Pages (a, b, e, h, i, j)
1-2 Weeks:
Tables, Clipart and other Imported Objects (a, e, f, k, l)
3-6 Weeks:
Student Projects (b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l)
1-2 Weeks:
Other Applicable Topics
8. Text and Materials, References Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content
An appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is to be offered
from those currently available in the field. Examples include:
Texts:
James E. Shuman & Marcia Williams, Desktop Publishing with Adobe PageMaker 6.5, International Thompson Publishing, Cambridge.
Robin Williams, The Non-Designer’s Design Book, Peachpit Press, Berkeley.
Materials:
Text(s) may be supplemented with:
Accompanying practice exercises if available
Articles, handouts and/or exercises prepared by the instructor
Magazine or newspaper articles
On-line materials
Other:
Appropriate films, videos or Internet sites
Television programs
Guest Speakers
Other instructional aids
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is
being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
40-80%
20-60%
0-30%
20-60%
0-30%
0-40%
0-20%
Written or oral examinations
Practical examinations
In-class exercises
Homework assignments
Quizzes
Projects or research (written reports and/or oral class presentations)
Attendance and/or class participation
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods vary considerable with instructors and specific instructional methods
will be at the discretion of the instructor teaching the course. Suggested techniques might include, but are not limited to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
lecture, problem solving, and class exercises or readings
class discussions or guest lectures
audio, visual or presentations involving the Internet
visual step-by-step instruction with students following along
student class presentations
group or individual projects
other contemporary learning techniques (e.g., Service Learning, Co-op, School-to-Work,
self-paced, etc.)